Number of people in Telford and Wrekin on Universal Credit hits all time high
More people than ever were using Universal Credit Telford & Wrekin in March, it has been revealed.
Figures have revealed the number of people receiving Universal Credit in Telford & Wrekin hit an all-time high in March.
Universal Credit is a benefit available to those out of work, disabled or below a threshold of earnings and savings.
Combined with a winding-up of older benefits and reduced employment opportunities, the number of people receiving Universal Credit across England rose dramatically over the pandemic and has remained high since.
Provisional figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show 18,664 people were using the benefit in Telford & Wrekin as of March, a seven per cent rise on figures in March 2022.
The data has also revealed 20,396 people in the Shropshire Council authority were receiving the benefit, an eight per cent rise from the year before.
40 per cent of Universal Credit recipients in Telford & Wrekin and 42 per cent of Shropshire's recipients were shown to be in work.
Councillor Kelly Middleton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for healthy, safer and stronger communities and partnerships, said: “With 18 of our neighbourhoods in the borough ranked in the top 10 per cent of the most deprived areas nationally, the cost of living crisis is having a big impact here in Telford and Wrekin, just as it is around the country and this is reflected in the record number of people claiming Universal Credit in the borough over the last twelve months.
“Around 40 per cent of the people claiming Universal Credit in Telford and Wrekin work, which shows just how much the financial pressures caused by the cost of living crisis that are impacting on our residents, whether working or not.
As a council that’s on the side of our residents, we’re providing support in a range of ways, from freezing general council tax for the second consecutive year, to our £12m cost of living strategy to help residents most affected in a range of areas including energy, food, benefits and transport.
"Since launching the strategy we’ve provided direct financial support to 20 per cent more households than ever before, as well as an extra £144,000 through our discretionary support scheme and will continue to support those most in need in our borough."
The figures come as a think tank calls for social security to be pegged to the cost of living.
Sam Tims, an economist at the New Economics Foundation think tank, said "inadequate levels of support" combined with low pay and insecure work was forcing people receiving benefits into difficult decisions.
Mr Tims urged for benefits to be benchmarked to the cost of living, to help those struggling with the current crisis.
Across England and Wales, the number of households with a member on Universal Credit reached a record peak in February, at nearly 4.5 million.
Anna Stevenson, benefits expert at anti-poverty charity Turn2Us, said "far too many households" are still struggling financially.
She continued: "The Government needs to make sure support is there when people need it, and that it’s the right support to get through this crisis.
"The longer term, systemic answer, is to build an effective social security system in which people can thrive."
In England and Wales, 111 other local authorities hit their highest-ever number of Universal Credit recipients in March, more than 30 per cent of all areas.
